Pivoting Vehicle Grille Access for Secure Radiator Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs often hinder easy access to components like radiators and HVAC systems, requiring complex mechanisms or unauthorized access to unlatch components from outside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method involving unlatching the hood latch from within the passenger compartment, pivoting the grille about its bottom edge to an access position, and using an actuator within the engine compartment to unlatch the grille latch, allowing authorized access to components like the radiator or HVAC system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grille latch is accessible from outside the vehicle, then ease of operation is improved, but security and unauthorized access control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The access mechanism is segmented into two distinct stages: first opening the hood to access the engine compartment, then accessing the grille latch within that compartment. This segmentation ensures that the grille latch remains protected behind the hood barrier, preventing direct external access while maintaining operational capability for authorized users.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used to access components, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires preliminary action of opening the hood before the grille latch can be accessed. This preliminary step establishes a security hierarchy without requiring complex locking mechanisms on the grille itself, as the hood opening action preconditions any subsequent grille access.
3Device complexity
If the grille is fixed in operational position, then structural simplicity is improved, but ease of operation for component access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grille is designed with dynamic capability to move between operational and access positions. This dynamic feature allows the grille to pivot open for component access while returning to its fixed operational position for normal vehicle function, balancing structural simplicity with operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle component access method includes unlatching a hood latch of a vehicle, and the opening a hood to access a compartment of the vehicle. The method further includes unlatching a grille latch from within the compartment; and moving a grille to access a component aft of the grille.